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NKT cells are potent regulatory T cells that prevent the development of several autoimmune diseases. Analysis of NKT cell regulatory function in the NOD mouse has revealed that NKT cells inhibit the development of type 1 diabetes by impairing the differentiation of anti-islet T cells into Th1 effector cells. In the present study, we have performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to determine the respective role of cytokines and cell contacts in the blockade of T cell differentiation by NKT cells. These experiments reveal that cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, and TGF-beta, that have been involved in other functions of NKT cells, play only a minor role if any in the blockade of T cell differentiation by NKT cells. Diabetes is still prevented by NKT cells in the absence of functional IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, and TGF-beta. In contrast, we show for the first time that cell contacts are crucial for the immunoregulatory function of NKT cells.

Original publication

DOI

10.4049/jimmunol.174.4.1954

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Immunol

Publication Date

15/02/2005

Volume

174

Pages

1954 - 1961

Keywords

Animals, Cell Communication, Cell Differentiation, Cell Proliferation, Cells, Cultured, Cytotoxicity, Immunologic, Immunosuppression, Interleukin-10, Interleukin-13, Interleukin-4, Killer Cells, Natural, Lymphocyte Activation, Mice, Mice, Inbred NOD, Mice, Knockout, Mice, Transgenic, T-Lymphocyte Subsets, Transforming Growth Factor beta